The Association of Body Repairers is suffering from internal politics and wrangling four months after launch.

Company secretary John Taylor, in a letter sent out to 19 Board members, complained of “a number of erroneous procedures within the association”, including a series of strategy meetings to which he was not invited.

Mr Taylor said: “I have no further wish to be involved with the underhand way in which association matters are being dealt with. To ignore constitutional procedures and allow personal issues to enter the arena is not the way to run an association.”

Speaking to Automotive Management, Mr Taylor added: “The association was originally formed to try to bring about dialogue within the industry. Over the past couple of months efforts have gone more into purchasing and, while this has its merits, decisions are being made without my prior knowledge. ”

However, ABR directors John Weir and David Turner refuted the allegations and claimed Mr Taylor had resigned from the association. Their view was backed by several ABR members who attended the strategy meetings.

ABR has had its knuckles rapped for using the PPG logo on its website. Marketing manager Jacqui Casey said PPG had not set up a supply deal with the association. “The logo has now been removed,” she said.